Oliseh Calls Up Martins, Mikel, 21 Others For Sihlangu Of Swaziland

Sunday-Oliseh

 
Oliseh Calls Up Martins, Mikel, 21 Others For Sihlangu Of Swaziland
— Oct 30, 2015 10:48 am | Leave a comment
Head Coach Sunday Oliseh has invited 23 players, including U.S-based Obafemi Martins and six home-based professionals, for the Super Eagles’ 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture against Swaziland.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two-leg fixture will take place over four days next month.

The first leg will hold in Lobamba on Friday, Nov. 13, while the return leg will be at the Adokiye Amiesiamaka Stadium in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

Martins, who has not featured for the Super Eagles in two years, has been in great form in the Major League Soccer.

“His invitation indicates that Oliseh has placed a firm accent on current form and ability, and has an open mind to all Nigerian players across the globe.

“The invitation is also a sweet birthday present to Martins, who celebrated his big day on Wednesday.

“He had scored for Nigeria on his debut in a friendly match against Republic of Ireland in London in May 2005,’’ a report by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) on its website on Thursday said.

It said further that six home-based players, who were part of Nigeria’s qualification for the 4thAfrican Nations Championship (CHAN) after beating Burkina Faso, are on the 23-man list.

Chelsea FC midfielder Mikel Obi, Portugal-based former junior internationals Dele Alampasu and Abdullahi Shehu, as well as Arsenal FC’s Alex Iwobi were also invited, alongside former junior international defender Wilfred Ndidi.

Oliseh has directed all the players to arrive at the Bolton White Apartments in Abuja on Sunday, Nov. 8 as training commences same day by 7 p.m.

THE FULL LIST

Goalkeepers: Carl Ikeme (Wolverhampton Wanderers, England); Ikechukwu Ezenwa (Sunshine Stars); Dele Alampasu (Club de Sportivo Feirense, Portugal)

Defenders: Abdullahi Shehu (Uniao da Madeira, Portugal); Kalu Orji (Rangers); Elderson Echiejile (AS Monaco, France); Chima Akas (Sharks FC); Leon Balogun (FSV Mainz, Germany); Godfrey Oboabona (Caykur Rizespor, Turkey); Efe Ambrose (Celtic FC, Scotland); Austin Oboroakpo (Abia Warriors)

Midfielders: Ogenyi Onazi (SS Lazio, Italy); Paul Onobi (Sunshine Stars); Mikel Obi (Chelsea FC, England); Rabiu Ibrahim (AS Trencin, Slovakia); Wilfred Ndidi (KRC Genk, Belgium); Sylvester Igbonu (FC UFA, Russia)

Forwards: Ahmed Musa (CSKA Moscow, Russia); Moses Simon (KAA Gent, Belgium); Odion Ighalo (Watford FC, England); Ezekiel Bassey (Enyimba FC); Alex Iwobi (Arsenal FC, England); Obafemi Martins (Seattle Sounders, USA)(